On August 16, 2011, I released my newest album of original music, Protest Songs (Are Dead).

On September 13 I'm holding a virtual listening party on WHFR, Washington Heights Free Radio. You can tune in LIVE between 7:30-9p from your own computer and listen with us, call in with comments, questions, etc. There will also be a chat room (remember those?) where we'll be discussing live! I'll even be giving away prizes and all the other cool stuff you secretly love about radio.. WITHOUT ANY COMMERCIALS!

Take a break from your homework assignment and/or TV program to join us.. it's gonna be a HOOT!

I found freedom on that windshield, like Jesus on toast. As such, I come to bring freedom to the rest of NYC. Join us for tomorrow's freegan party which will include food, live music, and a film screening! Not to be missed! Check the event page for details and rsvp...http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113349502082714

May 21, 2008 was the date of my terrible bicycle accident in Orlando, FL. It left me jobless, homeless, purposeless, bitter, angry, depressed, and otherwise existentially frustrated. So much so that I spent the entire following year writing and recording an album entitled Life Is A Bike Wreck (Better Wear Your Helmet).

At the same time, I am convinced that I would neither be living in NYC or pursuing music in the city, were it not for that experience.

So this Saturday I am celebrating what my mom calls my "rebirth" by hosting a party of apocalyptic proportions at the Edgecombe House. After all, this coming Saturday is also thought to be the end of the world.

I figure: might as well go out with a bang!

There's going to be food, live music (GioSafari & Lindsay Dragan), a film screening... lots of great fun! And all for the low low price of FREE.

If you're in NYC, please check out THIS LINK for more details and to RSVP.

This show will be a great opportunity to learn my story - how and why I ended up in NYC and what my plans are as I follow God's call for my life. To get a taste, listen to my testimony on myspace.

Also, check out this commemorative ride I took last year...

Thanks for reading, watching, and/or listening. Hope to see you at the show!

On April 2, 2011 I participated in the International Pillow Fight Day event at Union Square, NYC. I've been plumbing facebook and youtube for evidence. Below are some of the videos and pics I've found =D Enjoy!

Saturday March 19, 5-6 pmEND OCCUPATION OF IRAQ!END WAR IN AFGHANISTAN!Remember the invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003, protest at the Times Square recruiting center in Manhattan, Broadway at 44th St.It's way past time to bring our troops and war dollars home.

Join with local Veterans for Peace and the Peace Grannies, in solidarity with the national demonstration in Washington called by national Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and other veterans groups.

Leaders of our local peace movment will speak, including State Sen. Bill Perkins, who has repeatedly spoken out against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There's going to be live music, plenty of food, and a screening of V for Vendetta (Remember remember the fifth of November...) Here's the fb event, PLEASE RSVP so I have an idea how many to expect!The event is totally free (really!); but (full disclosure) it IS a fundraiser for my upcoming tour. We'll just pass a hat for donations and you can contribute as much or as little as you like. Don't have any money? Please come anyway, I love the moral support! And feel free to invite friends! Let's pack the house!

Both the Kickstarter project and this event are extensions of the Really Really FREE Guitar Lessons I began teaching several weeks ago at Columbus Circle. I'm still doing them, but I've relocated to Washington Sq Park. I'll be there on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, from 2-6p. I'd also love to see you there if you can spare the time; you'll get a free guitar lesson in return! I'll have an extra guitar, so you need not bring your own (unless you have a nylon string acoustic you'd be willing to donate, I really need to get my hands on one!) Just look for the cat with the red bandanna =)Hope to see you soon at these events!Amor y paz,Gio

There is an annual Puerto Rican music festival held in Spanish Harlem the day before the PR Pride parade festivities. This year I played drums with a backing band for hip-hop group T-Weaponz. The band was appropriately named The Armory.The band's manager picked me up with my drums at my apt in Harlem and we arrived at the stage on 122 Street and 3rd Ave around 12:15. I unloaded my drums and began setting them up backstage. By the time I was finished, there was still at least half an hour before we were to take the stage, so we had some short interviews and photo ops with the group.Finally it came time to bring all the gear, including my kit, onto the stage. I quickly set everything up and returned backstage for the start of the show.I was hardly able to hear anything on stage, which made things a little difficult. But I think that overall, the band played well and we were able to hold it together.I captured some video footage of the event, some of which you can see here. It's not the best A/V quality, as I'm sure you'll see. But hopefully there will be some better footage emerging from other sources in the next few days. Until then, enjoy what I've got here!

There are two events happening this Monday that you all should know about and come to if at all possible.

1) Immigration Reform Rally Last Sunday I attended a rally in downtown Manhattan for immigration reform. I regrettably arrived to the rally late and missed most of the action; but there will be another rally this Monday, which I plan to attend (on time). Here's a video I've put together of last week's event, in hopes of drawing more people from my church:

2) Manhattan Wind Ensemble Concert On Monday night I'll be performing percussion with the Manhattan Wind Ensemble, an adult concert band out of the 3rd Street Music School Settlement - a non-profit organization that has been serving the lower east side with music education programs since the late 1800s! Our concert for this season will be held at St Paul the Apostle church, just a block away from Columbus circle. The show begins at 8pm, suggested donation $10.